By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Five Casey sports facilities will share $1 million in state funding towards their upgrades.
Casey Indoor Leisure Centre, Strathaird Reserve, Kalora Park Reserve, Sweeney Reserve and Betula Reserve were awarded the grants under the state’s Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.
Casey Council, which is co-funding the projects, had applied for the grants.
The $2.79 million Casey Indoor Leisure Centre redevelopment received a $650,000 injection towards creating a regional gymnastics centre and indoor cricket and soccer courts.
Strathaird Reserve received $100,000 towards an $180,000 upgrade of drainage and an irrigation system on oval one.
The upgrade will allow the reserve to reach district level AFL and cricket standard.
The State Government also contributed $100,000 towards new floodlights at Kalora Park, $100,000 towards Sweeney Reserve’s female friendly amenities and $51,000 towards upgraded drainage at Betula Reserve’s soccer pitch.
Narre Warren South MP Judith Couacaud Graley, who attended the Strathaird Reserve announcement, said the funding would ensure local cricket clubs had access to the “very best facilities”.
“Our local sports clubs, especially our cricket clubs are embraced by so many local residents who are keen to get fit and active, as well as forge lifelong friendships and memories.”
Casey mayor Sam Aziz said having quality sports facilities was one way the council was supporting sport participation.
The benefits included facilities for female cricket and junior football teams in Narre Warren, providing gymnastics facilities for 1500 new participants and improved sports surfaces, Cr Aziz said.
“As our population grows, we hope the State Government will continue to invest in new and existing infrastructure in Casey to keep up with the increased demand,” he said.
